Sharing Information forHealthier and Happier Pets

The Wellness Plan Solution

It’s no secret that the current economic climate is tough for many medical professionals. The pet care space is no different, and veterinary practices strive to improve their profit margins, while pet owners struggle with the ever-increasing cost of pet care. Luckily, many Vets have found a solution in the form of Wellness Plan programs — software modules that allow them to create customizable membership plans that increase office visits and pet owner loyalty, while ensuring consistent and personalized care for pets, and making it easier for practices to offer additional services such as kennel care, grooming, and pharmaceuticals.

The principal at the core of the Wellness model’s success is the strength of consumer acceptance of membership and loyalty programs, a concept tried and true in multiple industries. For a key example, we can look no further than the juggernaut of members-only-savings, Costco. In its nearly three decades in business, the success of the plus-sized wholesale chain is dwarfed only by the pallets of foodstuffs, appliances, and household items that line its aisles. By paying a small annual membership fee, consumers gain access to savings and benefits they wouldn’t find at any other retailer. Once they’ve committed to a membership (as 1 in 5 Americans have), consumers are consistently more likely to patronize Costco over competitors, and spend more freely due to the perceived savings afforded by the program.

A 2007 Harvard Business School study referred to this phenomenon as the “fee-to-savings” link. Through field data research and a series of customized studies, they showed that fees can serve as a signal of price discounts. Stores that charge fees are perceived as offering better deals for identical items, and the presence of fees can increase consumer spending and overall store profitability. The study additionally showed that the presence of fees can drive choice of retail outlets, such that stores with membership fees are more popular even when they offer the same goods at the same prices as stores without fees.

Furthermore, the loyalty that comes with a consumer’s commitment to a membership program carries benefits beyond that single member’s spending. A 2011 Colloquy Loyalty Census, entitled “The Billion Member March,” showed that members of a loyalty program are 75% more likely to refer other members to that service.

While the business needs of veterinary practices are certainly different from those of wholesale retailers, these basic consumer spending principals are still at work in the Wellness Plan model. Practices in the veterinary industry are reaping similar rewards in terms of loyalty and referrals, and the customization and discount options afforded by Wellness Plan modules make it easy for any practice to create and operate their own Wellness Plan program. Next week, we’ll discuss how these programs can facilitate growth in established pet care practices, by expanding wellness plans to include additional products and services that further enhance pet owner loyalty and improve the bottom line.

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About VCP
VCP was founded on the simple premise that veterinary practices can boost compliance, increase pet owner loyalty, and improve bottom line results through better financial services for pet owners. VCP has become the veterinary industry’s leading wellness plan management solution providing a comprehensive end-to-end platform that takes the uncertainty out of creating, launching and managing a wellness program. VCP’s leading wellness plans are a favorite with pet owners providing peace-of-mind in knowing their pets are getting the care they need at a monthly payment that can fit into almost any budget. The practice enjoys, increased compliance, up to 15% revenue growth and higher per pet spend.